On the fence going Instax? You are not the only one! Here’s 5 solid reasons why use Instax to find out if it’s worth it.
There’s no doubt that Instax is popular. But in the article below I will reveal 5 reasons why use Instax for yourself vs explaining the popularity. I make no difference between the three films (Mini, square, wide) as the size is pretty much irrelevant. Let’s get into it.
5 reasons why use Instax
1- There’s nothing else like it
Most people use their phones to shoot images, photographers use their cameras. Most of them are boring, boring, boring. They all look the same and they desperately try to mimic each other. If you want a new photography experience, there is nothing else quite like an Instax camera.
Shoot and out comes a beautiful picture that you can feel, hold, touch and more importantly use for albums, decorations or projects. Most of your images are buried deep within your phone and you never see them again, this is not the case with the Instax film that takes actual space in real life.
2- It’s the look that gave birth to Instagram
When Instagram firs appeared, it had two things going for itb esides the sharing aspect. First it would make your images square AND it would put a filter over it. Those filters were designed to give you a retro look, more specifically the old Polaroids.
The Instax cameras are essentially Polaroid cameras because it is the same technology and the look is something that is easy to fall in love with. Not it’s not super contrasty or hyper saturated, everything has a dreamy pastel look to it that is hard to beat.
And this is not the result of filters either, this is pure chemical based photography that gives you these colors.
3- Film photography without the hassle
There’s a point which everyone wants to try their hands with film photography. The newer generation want to know what it’s like while the older generation has nostalgia. Film photography can be quite bothersome nowadays because there is a decreasing number of films and labs around willing to develop your film.
And to be honest the steps between you and your image are as follow:
- Get film
- Shoot all the roll
- Mail the roll (or find a Photo lab)
- Get negatives
- Pay for the ones you want printed
With Instax howver you can get the joy of analogue photography without havintg to go torugh these steps. Simply load the film and shoot, out comes your finish print! There is no better way to experience film without the hassle.
4- It’s fun liken nothing else
If you are looking for the single, most important reason why use Instax, it is because it is fun. Take your phone out, take a picture. How do you feel? It’s boring. You’ve only done this a thousand times before. There is no excitement in photography anymore, the phone as done away with this.
Clever app makers are making a lot of apps trying to mimic the feeling of having an instant camera because they all realize that it’s pretty boring. With an Instax camera it’s very hard to shoot and not get excited at your image rolling out all blank…and magically seeing the image appearing.
This is one of those small insignificant moments in life that spark joy. Once you shoot your first Instax shot, you are hooked. There’s a huge difference between having an image on a screen and an image that you can touch.
Most Instax cameras are simple, with a few exception that have advanced features, and that simplicity really lets you enjoy making pictures instead of getting that perfect shot. Shooting Instax is THE definition of the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, which is beauty in imperfection.
The Instax prints are slighly blurry, not accurate colors, imperfect and that is what makes them beautiful and why it’s so fun to use. Your phone would give you a bland picture instead. If you are looking to have fun with images, get an Instax camera, they are fun like no other.
5- You can use it as a printer *
This last part if only reserved for one camera: The Fujifilm Instax Liplay. Instead of being a completely analog camera, it is a hybrid that shoots digital images and can print Instax mini film. Pair it with your phone via Bluetooth and it can double as a printer for your phone. So you can shoot and edit from your phone, and send the images to be printed on the Liplay. Or enjoy shooting the camera like normal. See our Instax Mini Liplay review for more.
The advantage of this being a hybrid is that if what is keeping you from Instax is the cost, well this allows you to only print the images that you want to print instead of being forced to print with the other Instax cameras.
Conclusion: Is Instax worth it?
Is Instax worth it? Yes it absolutely is. It is a unique way of doing photography, it is also one of the best ways to enjoy film photography without the hassle. Moreover the look is what basically gave birth to the Insta craze and it is really fun to use. Check out the best ones here.